Innovative ideas and general tips for using Tech Supports

Back from Blogging Hiatus…

Hey folks I really missed sharing & caring, along with answering your questions via post comments. Recently I helped a relative near and dear to me complete their cancer journey. The final segment of his cancer journey started back in October. Now you might be thinking, “What does this have to do with educational technology?” Innovative thinking is the answer!!! I’m thankful due to the doctor teams’ innovative and creative thinking skills because it extended my husband’s life for five years. Saving a life is just one reason why applying educational technology for supporting the 4C’s is so important!

During my husband’s cancer battle I got to see what strong communication and collaboration can do. It took the brainstorming of many specialized doctors to figure out exactly what to do for providing both longevity and a quality of life. Due to this experience I feel it is more important than ever before to engage students by using Google Docs Chat, Comments, Blogging and etc… for brainstorming and supporting 4C’s skills. It is these very skills which are essential for innovative thinking to occur!

My husband also experienced another benefit of technology. Our daughter lived in a different state far away from us. Although she flew in (hmmm…technology=planes) quite frequently to visit him this wasn’t enough! However thanks to the technology of Video Chatsthis man who wasn’t savvy had the ability to see and talk with our daughter quite frequently. Bill also enjoyed when my daughter left video messages for him to view.

On one of our last Sloan visits my husband experienced interacting with machine technology when my car yelled at him! He insisted on driving home after spending a week in the hospital. I was against this and apparently my hybrid vehicle didn’t like it either. My husband wouldn’t listen to me when I complained about him swerving back and forth. However he handed over the steering wheel after the car flashed a coffee cup with the message, “I think you may need a rest”

Another benefit provided by technology was the simple enjoyment my husband received when talking with our Google Home. He like to ask it silly questions just to hear how the device would respond. This simple use of machine technology provided hours of laughter and pleasure during these stressful times. The Google Home also helped my husband keep track of time, play music and create shopping lists for me to access from my phone.

Although I miss my husband very much it is an honor to blog about how much technology influenced this simple man’s life. I am thankful for the innovators in this world who have affected my husband’s cancer journey. Technology is a blessing when it can be used to make a positive difference. The creation of innovative tools depends on the skills of communication and collaboration.